Fear doesn’t disqualify us from being used by God—it often marks the starting point. This Christian devotional explores how Moses transformed from a hesitant, fear-filled man into one of the most courageous leaders in Scripture, revealing how God grows faith through daily dependence. Rooted in Deuteronomy 34:10–12, this devotion offers hope for anyone longing to move from insecurity to confidence in Christ.

Moses didn’t begin his calling with bold faith. In fact, he pleaded with God to choose someone else. Yet over time, as he repeatedly turned to the Lord instead of his fears, God shaped him into a leader marked by courage, intimacy with God, and unwavering trust. His story reminds us that spiritual growth isn’t instant—but it is possible.

Highlights


God often calls people who feel unqualified and afraid


Moses’ courage was developed, not instant


Faith grows when we consistently turn to God in moments of fear


Fear deepens when we dwell on problems; peace grows when we seek God’s presence


True confidence comes from intimacy with Christ, not personal strength


God’s power is revealed most clearly through surrendered hearts


You don’t have to stay stuck in today’s insecurity

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Full Transcript Below:

From Fearful to Courageous
By: Jennifer Slattery

Bible Reading:
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. - Deuteronomy 34:10-12, NIV.

Today’s passage, when understood in light of Moses’s full story, assures me that I can start afraid and end as a confident, influential, and powerful woman of God. While I’m nowhere near as faith-filled and courageous as I long to be, I’m encouraged knowing that I don’t have to remain stuck in today’s fear and insecurity. That’s not to say I expect my journey toward peace to feel easy or simple. Nor do I anticipate a smooth, linear trajectory where all fretting and overthinking steadily decrease day by day. Unfortunately, I’m much too inconsistent for that. The more I follow the examples set by the heroes of faith, however, the greater my intimacy with Christ, understanding and reliance on His truth, and trust in His care. 

You see, whenever I read Moses’ legacy, so beautifully preserved in Deuteronomy 34, I can’t help but think back on the man revealed in Exodus 3 and 4. If you’re familiar with the Old Testament, you might remember his not-so-courageous response to his awe-inspiring and miraculous encounter with God Almighty. After forty years living as a Prince in Egypt, he killed a man and fled to the land of Midian, where he remained as a fugitive. 

Perhaps assuming he’d forfeited whatever dreams he’d once held for his future, he soon settled into his new life, where he spent his time as a family man tending his father-in-law’s herds. Then one long, quiet, monotonous day, something captured his attention—a bush that kept burning without turning to ash. As he stepped closer to investigate, the voice of God Almighty called out from the foliage, engaging him in a life-changing conversation. The Lord told him that he’d heard the desperate cries of His enslaved people and was sending Moses to set them free. Understandably, this ignited anxiety within Moses. God responded through a series of miracles that displayed His power and authority, but this wasn’t enough to still Moses’s quaking heart. His fear of Pharaoh, the earthly ruler the Lord wanted him to stand against, was so great that he actually told God no, stating, 

“Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else” (Ex. 4:13, NIV).

Eventually, however, he obeyed, and in the decades that followed, developed an unshakable faith able to withstand an approaching army, a militant raiding people group, constant complaints and revolts from those he led, near stoning, betrayal from his siblings, and all the hardships that came with wondering, for four decades, through an inhospitable wilderness enroute to an unknown land. 

What strikes me most, however, is the stark contrast he portrays compared to his fellow Hebrews. Like Moses, they began doubtful and afraid. Unlike him, they remained stuck in their unbelief and fear. Moses, on the other hand, grew so faithful and courageous; today’s passage memorialized him as, at that time, the greatest prophet known to man.

Clearly, the difference wasn’t in their circumstances. He and they endured the same hardships and witnessed the same miracles. It also wasn’t in their makeup. He and they were both human and therefore experienced the same range of emotions as you and me. When we consider their stories closely and in full, we see the difference arose from how they responded in times of crisis. Whereas the people turned to one another with grumbling, complaining, and catastrophizing, thereby exacerbating their own and each other’s fears, Moses consistently turned to God. 

He sought the Lord’s help, comfort, guidance, protection, and provision. But most importantly, he simply sought God, because in His presence comes power, protection, and peace.

Intersecting Life & Faith:

Our world often feels chaotic and uncertain; tumultuous situations naturally evoke anxiety and fear. But you and I were created for peace and joy—not in the absence of trouble, but rather, in the presence of Jesus, our Prince of peace. The more we seek Him, read and reflect on His truth, and rest in His loving embrace, the greater our faith and the weaker our anxiety and fear. 

Further Reading:
Psalm 27:1
Isaiah 41:10
1 John 4:18

Fear doesn&rsquo;t disqualify us from being used by God&mdash;it often marks the starting point. This Christian devotional explores how Moses transformed from a hesitant, fear-filled man into one of the most courageous leaders in Scripture, revealing how God grows faith through daily dependence. Rooted in Deuteronomy 34:10&ndash;12, this devotion offers hope for anyone longing to move from insecurity to confidence in Christ.
Moses didn&rsquo;t begin his calling with bold faith. In fact, he pleaded with God to choose someone else. Yet over time, as he repeatedly turned to the Lord instead of his fears, God shaped him into a leader marked by courage, intimacy with God, and unwavering trust. His story reminds us that spiritual growth isn&rsquo;t instant&mdash;but it is possible.
Highlights
<ul data-start="1080" data-end="1532">
<li data-start="1080" data-end="1138">
God often calls people who feel unqualified and afraid
</li>
<li data-start="1139" data-end="1184">
Moses&rsquo; courage was developed, not instant
</li>
<li data-start="1185" data-end="1252">
Faith grows when we consistently turn to God in moments of fear
</li>
<li data-start="1253" data-end="1336">
Fear deepens when we dwell on problems; peace grows when we seek God&rsquo;s presence
</li>
<li data-start="1337" data-end="1411">
True confidence comes from intimacy with Christ, not personal strength
</li>
<li data-start="1412" data-end="1479">
God&rsquo;s power is revealed most clearly through surrendered hearts
</li>
<li data-start="1480" data-end="1532">
You don&rsquo;t have to stay stuck in today&rsquo;s insecurity
</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
From Fearful to Courageous By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading: Since then, no prophet&nbsp;has risen in Israel like Moses,&nbsp;whom the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;knew face to face,&nbsp;who did all those signs and wonders&nbsp;the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;sent him to do in Egypt&mdash;to Pharaoh and to all his officials&nbsp;and to his whole land.&nbsp;For no one has&nbsp;ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds&nbsp;that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. - Deuteronomy 34:10-12, NIV.
Today&rsquo;s passage, when understood in light of Moses&rsquo;s full story, assures me that I can start afraid and end as a confident, influential, and powerful woman of God. While I&rsquo;m nowhere near as faith-filled and courageous as I long to be, I&rsquo;m encouraged knowing that I don&rsquo;t have to remain stuck in today&rsquo;s fear and insecurity. That&rsquo;s not to say I expect my journey toward peace to feel easy or simple. Nor do I anticipate a smooth, linear trajectory where all fretting and overthinking steadily decrease day by day. Unfortunately, I&rsquo;m much too inconsistent for that. The more I follow the examples set by the heroes of faith, however, the greater my intimacy with Christ, understanding and reliance on His truth, and trust in His care.&nbsp;
You see, whenever I read Moses&rsquo; legacy, so beautifully preserved in Deuteronomy 34, I can&rsquo;t help but think back on the man revealed in Exodus 3 and 4. If you&rsquo;re familiar with the Old Testament, you might remember his not-so-courageous response to his awe-inspiring and miraculous encounter with God Almighty. After forty years living as a Prince in Egypt, he killed a man and fled to the land of Midian, where he remained as a fugitive.&nbsp;
Perhaps assuming he&rsquo;d forfeited whatever dreams he&rsquo;d once held for his future, he soon settled into his new life, where he spent his time as a family man tending his father-in-law&rsquo;s herds. Then one long, quiet, monotonous day, something captured his attention&mdash;a bush that kept burning without turning to ash. As he stepped closer to investigate, the voice of God Almighty called out from the foliage, engaging him in a life-changing conversation. The Lord told him that he&rsquo;d heard the desperate cries of His enslaved people and was sending Moses to set them free. Understandably, this ignited anxiety within Moses. God responded through a series of miracles that displayed His power and authority, but this wasn&rsquo;t enough to still Moses&rsquo;s quaking heart. His fear of Pharaoh, the earthly ruler the Lord wanted him to stand against, was so great that he actually told God no, stating,&nbsp;
&ldquo;Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else&rdquo; (Ex. 4:13, NIV).
Eventually, however, he obeyed, and in the decades that followed, developed an unshakable faith able to withstand an approaching army, a militant raiding people group, constant complaints and revolts from those he led, near stoning, betrayal from his siblings, and all the hardships that came with wondering, for four decades, through an inhospitable wilderness enroute to an unknown land.&nbsp;
What strikes me most, however, is the stark contrast he portrays compared to his fellow Hebrews. Like Moses, they began doubtful and afraid. Unlike him, they remained stuck in their unbelief and fear. Moses, on the other hand, grew so faithful and courageous; today&rsquo;s passage memorialized him as, at that time, the greatest prophet known to man.
Clearly, the difference wasn&rsquo;t in their circumstances. He and they endured the same hardships and witnessed the same miracles. It also wasn&rsquo;t in their makeup. He and they were both human and therefore experienced the same range of emotions as you and me. When we consider their stories closely and in full, we see the difference arose from how they responded in times of crisis. Whereas the people turned to one another with grumbling, complaining, and catastrophizing, thereby exacerbating their own and each other&rsquo;s fears, Moses consistently turned to God.&nbsp;
He sought the Lord&rsquo;s help, comfort, guidance, protection, and provision. But most importantly, he simply sought God, because in His presence comes power, protection, and peace.
Intersecting Life &amp; Faith:
Our world often feels chaotic and uncertain; tumultuous situations naturally evoke anxiety and fear. But you and I were created for peace and joy&mdash;not in the absence of trouble, but rather, in the presence of Jesus, our Prince of peace. The more we seek Him, read and reflect on His truth, and rest in His loving embrace, the greater our faith and the weaker our anxiety and fear.&nbsp;
Further Reading: Psalm 27:1 Isaiah 41:10 1 John 4:18

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

From Fearful to Courageous

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/3ecc78c0-c324-4fa5-89f7-b3d20126e0a2/transcript